Possible seizures?

[Rachel_Mamaof2]

Nearly a month ago, my 23 month old was running in the kitchen and fell (ground level of course), let out a cry, and my mom picked her up.  She "wound up" and then let out another cry.  I took her from my mom, which is when her eyes rolled back in her head and arm arms were jerking.  She was like this for maybe about 10 seconds or so before she made eye contact and I could tell that she was "back."  Immediately after this she was cold and clammy and very pale.  She rested for about 20 minutes, and then was completly herself again.  I didn't take her to the ER because my mom convinced me that she must have fainted because she held her breath, and stated that a little girl at her day care faints when she holds her breath, and not to worry.

Well, about a week ago it happened again.  She was running around with her sister in the livingroom and she stopped running and then her sister bumped into her and she fell.  She was crying and crying...no "winding up" this time.  When I picked her up she stopped crying and her eyes rolled back into her head and her arms were flailing around.  She didnt respond to me at all...I called her name 10 times before she came to.  She wanted to lay down, and again she was cold and clammy and pale.  After resting for 10-15 mintues she was back to normal again and wanted to eat.  

This time I called the doctor, who wasn't available so I spoke to the nurse-who then spoke to the doctor (point is i didnt talk to him directly).  The nurse told me that he said that some kids hold their breath and pass out and not to worry about it, to just keep an eye on her.  I'm not completly thrilled with these instructions, because i'm not convinced that she was holding her breath.  I know she wasn't holding her breath the second time.

Now I'm so paranoid and watching her closely.  I suspect another episode, but I have no way to confirm this as I did not witness anything.  She was napping and woke up crying.  I got her and she just kept fussing.  She was cold and pale and clammy.  All she wanted to do was to lie on the couch.  She did not want to move.  She was like that--just laying there--for about half an hour.  I let her rest there while I gave her sister a bath....which is a huge deal actually because she NEVER says no to a bath.  She LOVES baths.  But she didnt even want to get up for one!

I don't know what to do now.  I feel like I am going to just get blow off if I call the doctor again, especially since I have no idea if anything actually happened that third time...it's just a suspician.  But I'm scared to death what could be wrong with my toddler!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Breath holding spells are normal in a child but what you are describing is a seizure.Breath holding spell occurs when a child, crying hysterically and holding his breath for too long between cries, turns blue and passes out. However, the first spell should definitely be followed by a visit to the pediatrician. Although a breath holding spell doesn’t increase a child’s chance for developing a seizure disorder, epilepsy can sometimes be mistaken for a breath holding spell.

Second possibility is of a subdural hematoma which can form even after a small injury. Unlike in epidural hematomas, which are usually caused by tears in arteries, subdural bleeding usually results from tears in veins that cross the subdural space. Symptoms of subdural hemorrhage have a slower onset than those of epidural hemorrhages because the lower pressure veins bleed more slowly than arteries. Thus, signs and symptoms may show up within 24 hours but can be delayed as much as 2 weeks. Diagnosed by CT and MRI brain and treatment involves surgical intervention

Pls consult a pediatrician or a pediatric neurologist immediately to rule out the possibility of epilepsy or hematoma.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how your daughter is doing.

[laurenelyse]

If I were you I would take this child to be seen by a Doctor right away. My son was born with a seizure disorder. While your daughter may or may not have this there is something going on more than holding her breathe. I do not want to cause alarm,but please have her seen. Do not wait until she has another "episode" I just cannot get over the advice Nurse not telling you to either take her to the ER or come into the office to be seen at least!